The Federal Government generated N12bn from Nigeria’s data protection sector in 2024, according to the latest annual report of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

The report highlights the rapid growth of the industry, which has seen a surge in regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and increased revenue generation.

The NDPC stated that revenue from the data protection sector had grown significantly over the past four years, rising from N4bn in 2021 to N12bn in 2024.

The commission attributed this increase to stricter enforcement of data protection regulations, heightened compliance by organisations, and the expansion of data protection services across various sectors.

The report also showed that compliance revenue has risen sharply from N24.5m in 2021 to N1.5bn in 2024.

Compliance Audit Returns, which measure adherence to data protection laws, increased from 1,864 filings in 2020–2021 to 4,691 filings in 2023–2024, indicating that more organisations are embracing data protection frameworks.

The data protection sector also contributed to employment generation, with 23,000 jobs created in 2024, up from 10,123 in 2023.

The number of Verified Data Protection Officers rose from 362 in 2021 to 2,888 in 2024, reflecting growing demand for professionals in the field.

Similarly, the number of Data Protection Compliance Organisations increased from 103 in 2021 to 246 in 2024, highlighting the industry’s expansion.

As the sector grows, regulatory enforcement has intensified, with the NDPC reporting 213 investigations in 2024, up from 177 in 2023.

The investigations covered cases of privacy breaches, unauthorised data sharing, and non-compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

The commission has also strengthened its international collaborations, signing Memoranda of Understanding with data protection authorities in Canada and Dubai, while actively participating in global privacy initiatives such as the Global Privacy Assembly and the Network of African Data Protection Authorities.

The NDPC noted that Nigeria’s data protection sector is becoming a key contributor to the country’s digital economy, with increased investments in compliance frameworks and awareness campaigns.

At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, marking the opening of National Privacy Week, which coincides with Global Privacy Day 2025, the National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, delivered a welcome address and provided an update on developments within the data protection ecosystem.

The event also featured the unveiling of the NDPC’s annual report and the maiden edition of its Journal on Data Protection and Privacy.

The report offers a comprehensive review of the commission’s activities and achievements over the past year, while the Journal serves as a platform for researchers, academics, and industry experts to share insights and advancements in data protection and privacy.

In his address, Olatunji highlighted key milestones achieved by the NDPC since the last Data Privacy Day, stating that the Commission has made significant strides in strengthening data protection in Nigeria.

He noted that the agency, guided by its strategic roadmap, has gained global recognition, reinforcing its position as a leader in Africa’s data protection space.

He stressed the importance of cooperation, collaboration, human capacity development, and public awareness in building a strong culture of privacy in the country.

The NDPC boss reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to job creation, particularly for Nigerian youths, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He cited the launch of the National Certification Programme for Data Protection Officers, an initiative to train and certify data protection professionals locally.

According to him, the programme can potentially create over 500,000 jobs within the country’s growing data protection and privacy ecosystem.

Olatunji also stressed the need for increased privacy awareness, urging stakeholders across sectors to prioritise data protection and uphold privacy rights in line with global best practices.